Staples Gives 115 Public School Teachers the Supplies They Need
through DonorsChoose.org

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. & LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) announced that it funded 135 local
classroom projects in Los Angeles, as part of its recent $10 million
pledge to Think it Up™, a new national initiative of the
Entertainment Industry Foundation that seeks to inaugurate a new
movement in support of students, teachers and schools, helping to create
a culture of excitement about learning everywhere in America. This fall, Think
It Up, in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, will launch a
platform to fund student-powered, teacher-led learning projects in
classrooms across the country.

Madison Pettis, actress and Think It Up ambassador,
attended the announcement in support of Los Angeles’s students and
teachers. “As a Senior in high school I know first-hand how important it
is for kids to be passionate about what they’re learning. That’s why I’m
excited to work with Think It Up and Staples on funding
these student-powered, teacher-led projects.”

ABC7 Eyewitness News reporter Elex Michaelson is a native of Southern
California and a proud graduate of USC. He is actively involved in the
L.A. community and is especially proud to support students and educators
in Los Angeles with Think It Up. “Educating our kids
is the most important thing we do as a society and every kid deserves
the tools to learn. I couldn’t be prouder to be associated with this
important work.”

Since its founding in 2000, DonorsChoose.org has helped fund more than
236,000 classroom projects for teachers and impacted more than 14
million students. Today, in Los Angeles, Staples fully funded every 9th-12th
grade project on DonorsChoose.org in the Los Angeles Unified School
District. More than $130,000 was donated to help 115 teachers fulfill
classroom needs and helped 17,368 students across 71 schools in the Los
Angeles Unified School District.

“We’re thrilled to fund all of the projects in the Los Angeles Unified
School District and to work with the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Think
It Up initiative and DonorsChoose.org to ensure classrooms have
the supplies and resources they need,” said Alison Corcoran, senior vice
president, North American stores and online, Staples. “Through our
Staples for Students program, we’re proud to build on our rich history
of supporting education with our $10 million pledge that will make a
difference in America’s classrooms.”

A recent survey conducted by Staples found almost three-quarters of
parents agree that teachers in their communities inspire their students.
Additionally, the survey revealed that 76% agree that a lack of school
supplies is a significant challenge for schools today. Most teachers
spend more than $400 of their own money each year to provide supplies
and materials for their classrooms.

“We are so grateful to Staples for their support of teachers and
students through Think It Up,” said Charles Best, founder
and CEO of DonorsChoose.org. “Their incredible gesture today will ensure
that Los Angeles teachers won’t have to dig as deep into their own
pockets to pay for classroom supplies, and that students will have the
materials they need to start the school year right.”

The flash funding in Los Angeles is part of Staples’ $10 million pledge
to Think It Up which will inspire students to pursue their
passions by working on collaborative learning projects. To help support
the Think It Up movement, customers can donate one dollar
at a Staples store near them or visit www.thinkitup.org
to learn more.

“EIF is truly grateful to Staples for joining Think It Up
as its lead corporate donor, and helping the Los Angeles Unified School
District get the school year off to a terrific start illustrates how
deeply committed the company is to ensuring students and teachers have
what they need to create learning experiences that make a genuine impact
and prepare students for future success,” said Lisa Paulsen, President
and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation.

About StaplesStaples makes it easy to make more happen
with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class
retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop
however and whenever they want, whether it’s in-store, online or on
mobile devices. Staples offers more products than ever, such as
technology, facilities and break room supplies, furniture, safety
supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and Print services. Staples also
offers free shipping for Staples Rewards Members, in most cases
overnight. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates in North
and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More
information about Staples (SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.

About Staples for StudentsStaples has a long history of
supporting students, teachers and classrooms. Staples for Students is an
ongoing campaign that helps students and teachers with the school
supplies and essential items needed for a successful education. The
Staples for Students campaign includes school supply donations, support
for teachers in classrooms, donations for education projects, classroom
initiatives and the sale of products that give back to communities and
classrooms in need.

About DonorsChoose.orgFounded in 2000, DonorsChoose.org
makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. At this nonprofit
website, teachers at half of all the public schools in America have
created project requests and more than a million people have donated
$330 million to projects that inspire them. All told, over 14 million
students—most from low-income communities, and many in disaster-stricken
areas—have received books, art supplies, field trips, technology and
other resources that they need to learn.

About The Entertainment Industry FoundationThe
Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), established in 1942, harnesses
the collective power of the entire industry to generate awareness and
funds for critical health, educational and social issues. Stand Up To
Cancer (SU2C), EIF’s largest initiative, helps accelerate the pace of
research to get new therapies to patients quickly. Since its founding
seven years ago, SU2C has launched 16 collaborative “Dream Teams”
comprising over 940 scientists from 123 leading institutions around the
world. That research, including 151 planned, initiated or completed
clinical trials, has led to Food and Drug Administration approval of two
new treatments. In just 15 months, Hunger Is, EIF’s
collaboration with The Safeway Foundation, has significantly raised
awareness of childhood hunger in the United States and over $10 Million
to support breakfast, afterschool and out-of-school meal programs.